Category: Randy Rawls (1)

March 20, 2009

More thoughts on Barbara Parker

> Posted by Oline Cogdill on March 20, 2009 05:11 AM

A reception to celebrate the life of author Barbara Parker will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday March 21 at the Harbour House Condominiums, 10275 Collins Ave., Bal Harbour. Ms. Parker, a best-selling mystery writer who lived in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, died March 7 in Boca Raton. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to help writers. Donations can be sent to the Author Sponsorship Fund, Mystery Writers of America, 1140 Broadway, New York, NY 10001.

From Christine Kling, author of the Seychelle Sullivan mysteries and a Fort Lauderdale resident:
"I first met Barbara roughly 20 years ago when we were both early students in FIU’s MFA in Creative Writing program. I knew her as BJ then and I was in awe of her because she was the only one of us who had already published a book – it was a paperback original entitled Running Mates, and I rushed out to buy a copy. I still own it, and I will always treasure it. That book made me believe that someone like me could do it – could write and publish a book – and then decide that it wasn’t good enough, that she had to write a better book. She was scraping by as a single mom then, but she was always so passionate about following her dreams. Some of my best memories are of those nights when I would give her a ride after class out to her car parked way out where the guards never checked for parking stickers, and we would sit in the warm Miami nights and talk.

I was out of the country when her first book was published, but I walked into a bookstore in Puerto Rico and saw the hardcover displayed front and center. The store couldn’t get rid of me as I kept telling passer-bys, “I know her.” I was so proud. And when I got back to Florida, I made it to every signing at Books & Books until the day came when I had my own first signing there, and wouldn’t you know who was sitting there smiling that impish grin of hers. I felt like she was telling me she’d always known I could do it, and I, the tongue-tied writer couldn’t find the words to tell her how much that meant to me.

Since I first heard word of this loss, hardly an hour has gone by when I have not thought of another special memory of a dinner shared, a high-speed boat ride on the bay at dusk, the time we giggled and hid as we spied on a couple of suspected cross dressers in the ladies powder room at the Riverside, or when we roomed together at a conference and each spoke to the dark ceiling confessing our writing hopes and fears. Most of all, I remember how much I laughed with her, and how she made me feel like I belonged in her company, the company of a very fine writer. I just hope you know, Barbara Jean, how many lives like mine you touched with your passion, to how many dreams you lent substance. I miss you friend."

From Miamian Sharon Potts, whose first novel In Their Blood will be published in September 2009 from Oceanview Publishing:
"I had never met nor known of Barbara -- then suddenly, she seemed to be everywhere. I chose her book at random in the bookstore because it had a strong female protagonist like the one II was trying to create; a dentist friend of mine mentioned she had a writer as a patient who was very popular in the Cuban community because of the Latin flavor in her novels; and then I heard Barbara's name at SleuthFest, offering a manuscript critique. I bid and won it -- at $275, a fortune at the time. Barbara read my thirty pages and shredded them. I was angry and disappointed. I didn't understand back then that I was being given some of the most priceless advice of my writing career. But Barbara was relentless. She asked me for revision after revision, until one day, she said. "That's it. I knew you could do it." And I was so proud, because by then I'd read all of Barbara's novels and knew what an excellent writer and perfectionist she was and that it was her approbation that mattered to me.

I find myself thinking of Barbara constantly. In my own writing, her voice is always in my head, "Keep the characters real." And now, as I advise others how they can improve their work, I realize much of what I tell them is what Barbara taught me. Barbara crafted some of the most wonderful, memorable books. She was a talented, insightful writer. But her legacy will extend far beyond her own work, because her presence will be felt in those she taught, who in turn will teach others, who will touch others. She may not be with us physically, but she is very much with us, and always will be."

From Randy Rawls, author of the Ace Edwards novels and the co-chair of the 2009 Sleuthfest:
" I can't say that I was a close friend of Barbara's. I wish I had been. I can only say she was one dynamite person who opened her arms to everyone -- even the guy with the funny hat and the funny accent. So much talent and so much love for her fellow writers wrapped in a small body. I missed Barbara at SleuthFest on the BookBroads panel, making everyone laugh with your stories of the business. I missed her understanding pf writing on any panel. Now, I wish I had recordings of her appearances in the past -- BookBroads, Naked Came the Flamingo, Murder on the Beach, and every time she spoke or appeared at a luncheon.
I've lived a long and fruitful life. Knowing Barbara is a special part of it."